SUICIDE OF A SURGEON.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3108, 19 March 1883, Page 2

SUICIDE OF A SURGEON.

The following is the continuation of tbe evidence given at the adjourned inquiry concerning the death of Dr Edwardes at Hounslow (England), who committed suicide:—Mrs Bignell deposed that she lived at Lampton Terrace, Lampton, and was the wife of Frederick Bignell, a cattle-dealer. She had been a patient of Dr Whitmarsh’s ever since her fiyst child was born, about two years ago. Dr Edwardes had attended her since December 1881. The assistant called as well, from the 4ith or sth of last December. The doctor used to call every other day. He saw her on the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before Christmas, Mrs Wheeler was with her on the two former days, but not on the Friday. He was attending her for internal inflammation. Qn Monday and Wednesday he sounded her because she complained of paiu in the chest. On Friday she went out for a walk and returned about a quarter past 12. Dr Edwardes came in about a quarter of an hour afterwords, when two of Mrs Wheeler’s children were with her ; but almost as soon as the doctor came in they went away, and she asked one of them to tell her mother that Dr Edwardes had come. The doctor then asked her where she had been, and whether she felt fatigued. She told him that she had to hold on to tho palings because she felt faint, and that she had come back home for a little weak brandy and water. At his request she undid her bodice in order that he might examine her chest. He examined the breast and sounded both sides of the cheat, but not the back. He also looked at her tongno and counted her pulse. He then squeezed her hand and told her to cheer up and keep up her spirits. He afterwards told her to stand up and come towards him. She did so. when he put his arm round her neck, and kissed her throe times on her lips. She struggled as hard as she could to get away, but he held her tight. He did not make a medical examination. He asked her where Mrs Wheeler was, and she told him that she would be in directly. He continued to hold her tight, and kissed her again, used endearing words, and made improper proposals (hisses), to which she replied, ‘‘Good gracious me, no, doctor’’’ and told him not to do it agin. He then took up his bat and gloves and drank some brandy and water. He then said he would call on her on Sunday and make it all right. He opened the door, and as he was goiag out said, “Be sure and do ns I tell you. Don’t go out without some one with you.” After he had gone she went and dressed herself, and came out to go to Mrs Wheeler’s. Mr and Mrs Piercy were standing outside tho door, but she did not tell them what had occurred. They asked her how she was, and sho told them that tho doctor had sounded her and that she was not to go out without someone With her, in case she fainted. She then wont on to Mrs Wheelers’ and found her at home. She said, “ 1 know, Mrs Wheeler, if I

don't come in here I sha'l not be able to cat ray dinner.” This was about half, past 1. She told Mrs Wheeler that the doctor had sounded her, but said she would not send for him again, as he had put liis arm round her neck and kissed her. Site did not tell her every- j thing that took place, but Mrs Wheeler j «aid, “If that is the case I should not have anything more to do with him.” She said, “ I shall tell my husband as soon as be comes home.” When she was struggling with Dr Edwardes she did not call out. She caught hold of his hair, and told him to get away. The assault took place in the front room, and the blinds were half down. Dr Edwardes’s hoy was walking up and down outside. She called to Mrs Piercy, the next-door neighbor, and she also expected Mrs Wheeler to come in every minute. She was married rather burriedly. Her child was horn two days afterwards. Dr Goad, an assistant to Dr Whitmursh, attended to her. Dr Edwardes, when lie visited her, mentioned that, he had suspicions she was pregnant. Mrs Wheeler had been nursing her. This was the only occasion of Dr Edsvarde’s visits, when Mrs Wheeler was not present. Mrs Wheeler lived next door but one, and she always came in when she saw the doctor arrive. Her husband signed the retraction because she persuaded him to do so. Dr Whitmarsh came to her aud told her he did not want to see her “rounded on.” Ho said something to the effect that he recommended her to be first in the field. Ho did not recommend her to go to the police. He said they ought not to leave it too long. It was Dr Whitmarsh’s doings; he set them on. (Sensation and hisses) Without him they would not have done anything at all. Her husband told her that Dr Whitmarsh said she ought to go to the police station. It was Dr Whitmarsh who egged them on after they signed the paper. On January 18, Dr Whitmarsh, Dr Edwnrdc’s partner, was the principal witness, and he was subjected to a severe cross-examination us to the course it was suggested he had taken in prompting the prosecution against his own colleague. He denied emphatically that his action was influenced by any mean considerations of forcing Dr Edwardes out of the practice. After a very lengthened inquiry, the jury in their verdict, whilst recording that the deceased had died by his own hand, added that he had been driven to the act by the unfair use made by Dr Witmarsh of the false charge made by Mrs Bignell, for the purpose of forcing Dr Edwardes to a dishonorable dissolution of partnership. The excitement in the neighborhood during these inquiries has been very great, and it is expected that further legal proceedings will arise from the verdict of the jury.